SQL Server 2008 Pricing and Licensing
One of the more simple to understand guides to SQL Server 2008 licensing ... Source : Microsoft.com - download
Disk2vhd
Disk2vhd is a tool for creating virtual machines based on a existing physical machine, but unlike other physical-to-virtual tools, Disk2vhd can be run against a physical machine that's currently online ... Source : Technet.com - sysinternals - Download
SQL Server Chargeback Strategies
A common mainframe charging strategy is based on time and resources used, i.e.; you pay for what you use. In this blog post, Buck Woody explains how we can setup a similar scheme for SQL Server ... Source : Buck Woody - SQLBlog.com
SQL Azure FAQ
In this post, Brent demystifies SQL Azure (SQL Server in the cloud) by answering some frequently asked questions ... Source : Brent Ozar - BrentOzar.com
SQL Server 2008 R2 Feature/Edition Matrix
SQL Server 2008 R2 brings with it a range of new features. This page nicely summarises the features available for each edition ... Source : MSDN.com - SQL Server Books Online
How does Microsoft use SQL Server?
Microsoft is a huge company with massive IT infrastructure, including a very large SQL Server deployment. Find out how they use SQL Server internally through this series of links ... Source : Technet.com - IT Showcase
Editions & Features
Features available in each edition of SQL Server 2008 ... Source : Microsoft.com - Article
Licensing Overview
This downloadable word document explains key licensing considerations for SQL Server 2008 installations ... Source : Microsoft.com - Download
What's new in SQL Server 2008
A high level overview of the major new features in SQL Server 2008 ... Source : Microsoft.com - Article
SQL Server 2008 Virtual Labs
Over 30 web based labs covering a range of SQL Server 2005 topics, some introductory, others advanced. Both administration and development topics are covered ... Source : Microsoft.com - MSDN Article
SQL Server 2008 Webcasts
Both live and archived Webcasts on a range of topics, including details of upcoming Webcasts ... Source : Microsoft.com - Technet Article
Dell SQL Server Advisor
The Dell SQL Advisor tool is designed to help you create an architecture for SQL Server 2005 Database Solution deployments by providing a complete view of hardware, software and Services options. The Tool accepts user specifications, then analyzes and outputs a SQL Server configuration based on performance sizing and Dell recommended best practices ... Source : Dell.com
SQL Server Releases Blog
This blog shares SQL Server release information. Add to your RSS feeds to be informed of hottfix rollups, future version release dates and other important SQL Server release information ... Source : SQL Server Release Services - Blog Post
Running SQL Server 2008 on Windows Server 2008
This paper highlights the performance, scale and security benefits achieved by combining SQL 2008 and Windows 2008 ... Source : Microsoft.com - Whitepaper
Case Studies
Case studies of how various organizations are using SQL Server 2008 ... Source : Microsoft.com - Article
Top 10 SQL Server 2008 Features for ISV Applications
A good overview of a number of new features in SQL Server 2008 which will benefit ISV applications ... Source : SQLCAT.com - Top 10 Lists
SQL Scripts via Live Mesh
Jamie has come up with a great way of using Live Mesh to share SQL Server scripts ... Source : Jamie Thomson - Blog Post
Free SQL Server 2008 E-Book
A free 7 chapter E-Book on SQL Server 2008 features covering Security, Performance, Programmability, Storage, BI and more ... Source : Microsoft Learning - Download
T-SQL Code Library
Another good resource for T-SQL scripts; this one from SQLServerPedia.com ... Source : SQLServerPedia.com
SQL Server 2008 System Views Map
.pdf and .xps versions of the 2008 system views map ... Source : Microsoft.com - Download Center
Top 10 SQL Server 2008 Features for DBAs
A good overview of a number of new features in SQL Server 2008 which will benefit DBAs ... Source : SQLCAT.com - Top 10 Lists
MySpace.com and SQL Server
MySpace.com runs one of the largest (if not "the" largest) SQL Server implementations in the world. Learn how they do it here ... Source : WatchTechVideos.com - Video Download
SQL Server Versions
A great resource for tracking SQL Server version numbers with release names and dates ... Source : SQLTeam.com - Blog Post
Customizing the Object Explorer Details
As Colin shows in this post, the Object Explorer window in SSMS can be customized with a variety of different information ... Source : Colin Stasiuk - SQLServerPedia.com
Common Newsgroup Questions (and answers)
Paul links to a number of his blog posts covering frequently asked questions ... Source : Paul Randal - SQLSkills.com
SQL Server IPD Guide
The Infrastructure Planning and Design (IPD) Guide Series provides architectural guidance for Microsoft based solutions. This particular IPD guide is specific to SQL Server and provides a great starting point for a SQL Server project ... Source : Microsoft.com
The importance of checklists
A great post from Mike concentrating on the importance of checklists for DBAs. He uses a number of examples from other professions (Pilots, Doctors and Chefs) to reinforce his point. Great stuff ... Source : Mike Walsh - StraightPath Solutions - Blog Post
Practical SQL Server 2008 for Oracle Professionals
This downloadable white paper (docx format) reviews many of the key comparisons between SQL Server 2008 and Oracle ... Source : Microsoft.com - Downloads
The Midnight DBA
Just once, I'd like to go to bed after midnight for reasons other than SQL Server! Check out this cool site from the Midnight DBA, packed full of fantastic SQL Server videos ... Source : midnightdba.itbookworm.com
Top 10 Hidden Gems
A great link covering 10 very valuable features in SQL Server 2005 (still valid in SQL Server 2008) not generally known ... Source : Microsoft.com - Technet Article
The Sad State Of Programmers Part 2 : The In Person Interview
Preparing for an interview ? This great series of blog posts from Denis Gobo provides sample questions, general advice and various resources to prepare and improve your skills ... Source : Denis Gobo - SQLblog.com - Blog Post
A Brief History of SQL Server (1989 - 2000)
One of the chapters from an earlier edition of Kalen Delaney's "Inside SQL Server" books is a history of the product from 1989. This chapter was removed from the 2005 version of the book but is available online as a pdf. This is a fascinating read for anyone with an interest in SQL Server or RDBMS technology in general. Thanks Kalen! ... Source : insidesqlserver.com
SQL Server 2008 Desktop Background and Screen Saver
For the true SQL Server Geek! ... Source : Shashank Pawar - Technet.com - Blog Post
SQL Server History
A bit of fun - check out the early editions of SQL Server boxes, floppies, schema maps etc ... We've come a long way! ... Source : Euan Garden's Blog - Blog Post